Domestic Shipments of California Almonds Remain Strong
May 13, 2013
Year-To-Date shipments of California almonds continue to track as expected, flat to last year, limited by supply. Current year crop receipts are 1.880 billion pounds, 7% behind prior year, continuing to project a final total below 1.9 billion pounds.
The 2012 California crop is greater than 80% shipped & committed, with committed backlog of less than 90 days of global supply. Based on low ending inventories for the current crop, there will be inadequate supplies of pollinators to support market demand from early summer through October when the new crop is available.
The U.S. is driving industry growth. Last month’s shipments were up 13% bringing the year to date increase to 8.3% over prior year, an increase of 33 million pounds. Export sales globally were down for the month versus prior year driven by declines in China, India and the Middle East. On a year-to-date basis, China and the Middle East are tracking behind prior year, 14% and 28% respectively, while India is up 11%. European shipments for April declined, leaving Europe tracking -4% versus prior year.
The 2013 almond crop has benefited greatly from the generally warm temperatures the region has received since the completion of the bloom. This has produced strong growth rates and relatively advanced maturity levels. Growers are now waiting for the first and best indication of maturity, which will be noted when the first nuts have become fully solidified.
